Don't Forget to Dream (32 page)

Without another word Rhyla collected her pre-prepared satchel of dressings, ointments, needles and threads, before they slowly made their way to the hall and down the stairs to the great entrance. The courtyard was lined with the gu
ardsmen who had remained behind as well as
the stable boys, blacksmiths, chambermaids, serving girls and every other member of the Palace household who could escape their duties. The royal family and courtiers filled the stairs to the great courtyard with Princes Charles and Joseph flanking their mother just a step behind the King and Queen. Not only had the Princess changed into a fine cream lace gown but the boys stood straight and proud in their matching dark green coats with fine gold thread leaves entwined at collar and cuffs.

Lady Caroline lingered at the top of the stairs. She had agreed to accompany Lady Emelia in order to enable Rhyla to join the healers as they awaited the arrival of the casualties. With a final squeeze of her hand Lady Emelia released Rhyla and took her place with her family.

Rhyla edged down the side of the great stairway and carefully made her way to Roburt and the other healers. Mo
st had been through this before. T
heir blank or carefully arranged expressions spoke of the hard job ahead of them. There was no excitement or buzz of anticipation in this section of the crowd. She also noted with discomfort that the healers were all men and the majority wore priestly robes. A brief glance was all she was spared if they even looked at her at all. She had spent several hours with them over the previous days being given instruction on what was expected of them and what they may be facing when the men returned.

In a loose cluster they waited close to the barracks. A large room on the ground floor had been cleared of personal items to form a ward so the injured would not have to be carried up stairs or spread throughout the building. A few smaller rooms were also available
in which
to place the most seriously injured
; those who needed
to
be dealt with
in private.

The crowd settled into relatively quiet chatter as they all waited expectantly. They did not have to wait long. The ever nearing cheers from the crowds outside the Palace walls alerted them to the steady approach of the
Princes and their men through the northern thoroughfare of Lestran. At the first sight of Prince Edwin and Prince Callum leading the column of men through the stallion embossed
gates and into
the Palace courtyard
, the waiting crowd
erupted in thunderous applause and wild cheers.

Rhyla
’
s was instantly transfixed at the sight of Callum. He looked tired, covered in dirt from their journey and thinner than when she had last seen him. There were no bandages to be seen but he sat and moved more stiffly as he rode towards her. He wore no finery, just a simple blue coat over a grey shirt and brown trousers, simple and hard working attire. Despite his more dishevelled look
,
Rhyla thought he was more handsome than ever. His head swivelled and his blue eyes searched the
crowd after he had acknowledged his
awaiting family.
Finally he set his eyes upon Rhyla. He no doubt had expected to see her upon the stairs by his grandmother
’
s side. H
e was clearly relieved when he finally found her.

The smile that split his face as he saw her was enough to break her heart all over again. Her heart had been racing, her pulse thrumming in her ears, right until she realised the time apart had not quelled his feelings for her either. The pure joy and desire she found in that first look made her heart miss a beat before stumbling on erratically for a moment. Realising that the time apart had failed to alter how she felt for him, Rhyla had prayed that at least he would have relinquished his attraction to her so that it would be easier for her to stay away.

Callum was quickly forced to turn towards the King and Queen awaiting him or else make a scene by turning in his saddle to keep his eyes upon her. Rhyla watched his back as the excitement and turmoil that surrounded her suitably represented the chaotic flow of emotions within her.

The lines of guardsmen soon obstructed any further glimpses of Callum as he dismounted to greet his family. The returning guardsmen were likewise quickly dismounting and their mounts being led away by the stable hands. The majority of guardsmen disappeared into the surrounding crowds to be
welcomed home by their loved ones. Some were forced to see to their own horses as the stable hands were overwhelmed by the influx.

Rhyla and the healers remained discretely out of the way, patiently waiting for the wagons that would follow the horses. Wagons that had departed laden with food and water now returned with men too injured to ride. It was these
injured men who were unable to ride who needed the attention of the healers.

With the arrival of the first wagon Healer Roburt stepped forward and signalled to the
wagoner
who eased his cart horses to
a gentle halt in front of them;
the following wagons drawing up behind him. Trailing along with the healers Rhyla approached the back of the first wagon. It was covered in straw with six men wrapped in blankets seated or laying within.

One was a lean, clean shaven m
an with the look of a scholar about
him rather than
that of
a fighting man. He wore simple homespun shirt and trousers rather than a guardsmen
’
s uniform.
He
quickly scram
bled to his feet once the wagon was still.

“
Master Roburt,
”
he said in greeting as he jumped from the wagon.
“
It is good to see you at last and with so many
helping
hands.
”

“
Bryn, welcome back.
I am sure you have done us proud,
”
Roburt said as the men clasped hands.

“
I have done what I could.
”

“
Then tell us of
the injuries so we may now assist you,
”
Roburt said encouragingly.

Bryn quickly looked around and indicated a blanket wrapped form
laying
in the straw with a bandage around his head.
“
Captain Martin has a gash to his he
ad and another to his left side.
Both
I have sewn closed. He lost a lot of blood but seems to be improving.
”

At the mention of his name Rhyla
’
s face blanched.
“
I shall see to him,
”
she announced before Roburt could respond.

Roburt looked askance at her before nodding.
“
Alright, have him taken to his quarters and I shall check on you later.
”

As Bryn began explaining the injuries of the other men in the wagon Rhyla enlisted the help of two passing lads in guardsmen uniforms. They did not hesitate in assisting her with carrying their Captain from the wagon. Where he had been dozing on their arrival at the Palace the action of lifting him quickly roused him.

“
What are you doing? Put me down,
”
he attempted to order the lads but there was no strength behind his voice or his movements. The lads looked tentatively from Martin to Rhyla, one carrying him under the shoulders and the other by his feet. As they hesitated
,
Martin ordered them again, a little more forcefully,
“
Put me down. I can walk.
”

Seeing the improved colour filling his cheeks and the flash returning to his eyes
,
she nodded slowly.
“
You can put his feet down.
He
can walk.
”
She glared at him pointedly,
“
but they shall remain by your side to escort you up to your room.
”

He nodded in agreement and the young men gently lowered his feet and supported him as he stood up, one on either side. As they made their way slowly through the crowds and controlled chaos Martin glanced at her,
“
It is good to see you back. We were concerned you may not have returned from the estates.
”

“
It was wonderful out there. But our work was done and Lady Emelia wished to return,
”
Rhyla said simply.

“
Lady Emelia, of course,
”
Martin said with a slight inclination to his tone. Rhyla shot
him a brief glare before he turned
away as a grin twitched the corner of his lips.

They made their way to the barracks and up to the first floor with very little interruption. Any man standing in their way took one look at Rhyla marching through with their bandaged Captain behind her and quickly cleared a path.

Martin was white, perspiring and barely grumbling as the two young guardsmen lowered him onto his bed. As a Captain of the Palace Guard he benefitted from a private room and a solid wooden bed with a proper mattress and pillows. There were no rugs or wall hangings, just simple wooden planks and bare stone walls. A small brazier in the
corner would deal with the worst
of the
winter,
otherwise there was a small washstand, a chest and a narrow closet. Rhyla rounded the bed and pulled the single stool by his bedside as she thanked and dismissed the lads.

“
I will take a look at your wounds now,
”
Rhyla said leaning forward to start undoing the laces of his shirt.

It took a few minutes before Martin realised what she was doing. He rather feebly attempted to push her away.
“
There is no need Rhyla, I am fine.
”

Rhyla huffed at him,
“
No need? You have suffered two serious wounds that required needle and thread to close
,
and you have lost a
lot of blood.
You
are as pale as those sheets. I need to see how these wounds are healing, if they are holding or turning foul. I need to know what other damage you have taken. So you will not brush me aside Captain.
”
She paused in her tirade long enough to recognise the faint blush that tinged his pale cheeks.
“
I am here as a healer Martin,
”
she added gently,
“
no one will think it improper for me to examine your injuries. And if they do
,
then
,
whoever they are can speak directly to me or Master Roburt. Lady Emelia requested I help the injured and the Queen approved. You are injured, let me help.
”

Martin nodded briefly after a moment absorbing the seriousness
and determination in his friend.
Slowly
he lowered his hands,
“
At least let me take off my own shirt.
”

Rhyla smiled at the return of his old character.
“
Very well, b
ut I will help you sit up,
”
she added seeing him wince. Clasping his arm with hers and placing the other around his shoulder Rhyla supported his weight enough so Martin could sit up and swing his legs over the side of the bed. He didn
’
t rush with the laces but when he was done he was forced to accept her help in lifting the shirt over his head due to the restrictions in his movement. Rhyla gently started unwrapping first the bandage around his head and then the large one around his body.

Martin sat perfectly still, stiff and very awkward, his eyes fixed on the far wall as Rhyla began examining his bare chest. Her gently probing fingers examining every rib covered in a bruise
. She was searching
for fractures, and there were many bruises.

“
Take a deep breath.
”
He did as she asked.
“
Does that make it hurt anywhere?
”

“
No, not really,
”
he said softly with a strained edge to his voice.

Rhyla looked up at him sharply, expecting to see pain in his features but was instead met with his refusal to look at her.
“
There is no reason to pretend it doesn
’
t hurt if it does Martin. Or are you still uncomfortable with me examining you?
”

He shied and looked at her,
“
I
’
m
sorry;
I know it
’
s foolish but what if Callum walked in?
”

“
Callum,
”
it was Rhyla
’
s turn to look uncomfortable but she tried to hide it by turning her attention to the sutured wound on his abdomen.
“
Well, if Callum walked in, I would expect him to be thankful that his best friend is getting individual attention for his injuries and that he would trust me enough to care for your wounds appropriately.
”